Surprise College Fantasy Players of the Week

Three years ago I started a weekly blog that included my surprise fantasy picks for each week of the college football season. Each week I picked the players that were flying under the radar and I am pleased that I finished my first year at a very successful 83-29-7 (74%). In 2010 I had another successful year with a winning week every week and an overall 103-45-17 (70%) record. Last year I went 82-44-11 (65%). So far this year I am 13-9-2.

This year I will again be giving you the surprise fantasy picks each and every week in my Thursday daily blog and here are my picks for Week 3. Keep in mind you will not find players like Denard Robinson, Matt Barkley or Montee Ball in my picks. These are strictly surprise picks of players who are flying under the radar.

QB Rakeem Cato, Marshall vs Ohio – How well has Rakeem Cato done so far this year? How about already throwing for 790 yds thru 2 games including a 413 yard performance against West Virginia in the opener. Add the final 2 games in from last year and Cato has eclipsed the 340 yd passing mark in 3 of those 4 contests with a 9-2 ratio. A favorable matchup against an Ohio secondary has us selecting this promising QB here.

QB Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech vs Rice – Colby Cameron is an under-the-radar selection in the realm of College Fantasy Football right now as he took over the starting job mid LY and has just one game under his belt this season. How did this year’s opener against Houston go? Pretty good in our opinion as he threw for 353 yds and 3 td’s in their victory over the Cougars. Next on the docket is a Rice defense that was torched for 646 yds in their season opener against UCLA. Cameron should continue to find success here.

QB Wes Lunt, Oklahoma St vs Louisiana – Despite a 3 int performance a week ago against Arizona, Wes Lunt is a solid choice here with a very favorable matchup against the Cajuns. While the 3 picks cost the Cowboys the game, he did throw for 436 yds and 4 td’s against the Wildcats in Mike Gundy’s very QB-friendly offense (see Zac Robinson and Brandon Weeden).

RB Tim Cornett, UNLV vs Washington St – You may think we’re crazy using anyone in this blog from UNLV but Tim Cornett is a good pick this week against a struggling WSU defense under a 1st year DC. Cornett has rushed for 100+ yds in 4 of his last 5 gms dating back to LY including 127 and 141 yd games so far in 2012. We expect the Rebels to rush for more than 180 yds in our power rankings and with Cornett already seeing 50 carries on the year, you can almost bet he gets the bulk of the attempts.

RB Raymond Maples, Army vs Northern Illinois – You have to love RB’s from option teams and Raymond Maples appears to be the best of the bunch this weekend. Maples rushed for 107 yds a week ago against San Diego St for his 6th 100 yd rushing game in the past 2 ssns. We have Army forecasted for more than 300 rushing yds against the Huskies so you know he’ll get his fair share of carries.

RB Venric Mark, Northwestern vs Boston College – Venric Mark has been a flat out beast the first 2 weeks of the season for the 2-0 Wildcats. On the year Mark has 205 rushing yds (123 last wk vs Vandy) but if your league also gives credit for special teams return yardage, then this is your man after he returned a punt for a TD in the opener vs Syracuse and also serves as the team’s primary KR. Mark should once again get his opportunities to shine this week against the Eagles.

WR Jaime Wilson, Western Michigan vs Minnesota – After Jordan White departed via graduation with 140 catches and 1,911 yds (17 td) in his final season, you knew someone would have to take the bulk of the receptions for 2012. It appears that true freshman Jaime Wilson could be petitioning for that role after his 11 catch, 154 yd game last week against Eastern Illinois. On the year Wilson has already pulled in 19 catches thru 2 games and now they face a Minnesota squad that may be a bit overconfident heading into this matchup at a surprising 2-0.

WR Allen Robinson, Penn St vs Navy – Despite an expected rough start to the 2012 season, the Penn St coaches have to happy with the performance that Robinson has been able to string together in each of the first 2 weeks of the year. Robinson has already recorded 19 receptions and 186 yds and could find himself in a situation to shine again this weekend against a Navy D that was torched in their opener against Notre Dame.

WR Josh Jarboe, Arkansas St vs Nebraska – When Gus Malzahn took over the coaching duties at Arkansas St, we immediately thought about the progression that the Red Wolves offense would make in 2012. It appears that Josh Jarboe has reaped most of the rewards thus far in the passing game with 19 receptions (13 vs Oregon!!) and 167 yds. While ASU is on the road in Lincoln this week, we expect Jarboe to get plenty of opportunities as you can be assured that the Wolves will be in full passing mode in attempts to keep pace with the Huskers.

My Defenses of the Week:
Wisconsin • UCF •Mississippi St

Wisconsin Defense vs Utah St – It’s been a rough 2 weeks for Badger fans as they narrowly escaped their opener against FCS foe Northern Iowa and then dropped a 10-7 ballgame last weekend against Oregon St. The Aggies come into Madison on cloud 9 after their stunning home upset of Utah so you can expect a letdown here against a very angry and motivated Wisconsin D that tries to re-direct their ship in the right direction.

UCF Defense vs FIU – Second time this year that we are using the UCF defense in this blog and why not after their solid performance in the opener against Akron. The Knights are one of the most improved teams in the country and should deliver here in their home opener against an FIU offense that we project to struggle to keep pace.

Mississippi St Defense vs Troy – After looking at what the Troy offense has been able to do in the first 2 weeks of the season (1,041 total yds) you would have to think that we are way off in this prediction. A closer look however shows that the Trojans have faced 2 of the lesser defenses in the FBS in UAB and Louisiana. Miss St’s defense has been spectacular on the other hand including last week’s performance against Auburn in which they allowed just 216 total yards. Look for the Bulldog D to dominate the line here and slow down this overrated Troy offense.

A very interesting Week Two is in the books and it is now time to look ahead to the Third week of the college football season and the “sneaky” plays it has in store for fantasy owners. Here is a look at some guys who might fill in nicely for owners in need of a potential diamond in the rough.

QUARTERBACKS

Connor Holliday Washington State QB vs. UNLV: It appears as if Holliday will be the man under center this week for Mike Leach as Jeff Tuel is doubtful to play with a knee injury. The “Air Raid” offense that Leach employs has been down right disappointing thus far, but could easily get on track against a weak UNLV defense. Holliday may be the shot in the arm that the offense needs and could lock down the starting job with a solid performance. Look for Holliday to go over 300 yards passing and add a few scores to the mix.

Casey Pachall TCU QB vs. Kansas: Pachall threw for 200 yards and three scores in a cakewalk last week versus Grambling State. He should play the entire game this week and has a very good chance to post nice numbers. The Jayhawks don’t play much defense and will likely have a hard time containing the TCU offense. Look for Pachall to throw at least two scores on Saturday and a mess of yards.

Ryan Nassib Syracuse QB vs. Stony Brook: Nassib is 2nd in the country with 804 passing yards through the first two games of the season. He has attempted a whopping 112 passes in those two contests and could chuck the rock often against Stony Brook. The Syracuse passing offense should have no problem moving the ball this week and Nassib is likely to continue his hot streak. Look for Nassib to go over 300 yards passing once again in Week Three.

Brett Hundley UCLA QB vs. Houston: This dual-threat QB is coming off a monster performance against Nebraska in which he tallied 358 total yards and four touchdowns. The Bruins offense appears to be much improved in 2012 and Hundley is the triggerman. He could post another huge stat line against a lousy Houston defense that ranks 93rd in the country versus the pass. Expect Hundley and the Bruins offense to move the ball up and down the field this Saturday.

RUNNING BACKS

Venric Mark Northwestern RB vs. Boston College: Mark is coming off an outstanding performance against Vanderbilt, totaling 137 yards and a score. He has been a pleasant surprise to fantasy owners and could continue to shine against an average BC defense. Mark is averaging 19 carries per game and should see at least that total against BC. Expect Mark to go over 100 yards this week with a score or two very possible.

Mike Gillislee Florida vs. Tennessee: This Gator has come out of the blocks on fire in 2012. He is averaging 115 yards rushing per game and has found pay dirt four times in two games. He faces a decent Volunteer rush defense but should be able to churn out a productive evening. He did suffer a groin injury last week, but at this time is expected to be ready to face Tennessee in Week Three. Look for Gillislee to go over the 100-yard mark and add a score or two in this SEC battle.

Akeem Shavers Purdue RB vs. Eastern Michigan: Shavers is the main ball carrier for Purdue and could have his best game of the season in Week Three versus Eastern Michigan. The Eagles have been abysmal against the run this season, ranking 118th in the country and allowing almost 275 yards per game on the ground. This could be the perfect medicine to get the Purdue run game rolling. The chances seem to be very good that Shavers will post solid fantasy numbers this Saturday. There is some risk here, but the upside is tremendous.

Fitzgerald Touissant Michigan RB vs. Massachusetts: This talented junior has had a rough start to the 2012 season. He was suspended for the opening week match up versus Alabama and returned last week with seven rushing yards against Air Force. This match up with UMASS seems like the perfect opportunity to get Fitz rolling. He may not play more than a half on Saturday, but that should be ample time to do some damage on the ground. Look for this Wolverine to record his 1st 100-yard game of 2012 this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

Allen Robinson Penn State WR vs. Navy: Robinson has blossomed into the top wide out for Penn State in 2012. He is averaging roughly 90 yards per game and has 19 receptions in two games. The days of being a running team appear over for the Nittany Lions under new headman, Bill O’Brien. They are throwing the ball early and often and Robinson has been the beneficiary. Robinson could find plenty of open space this week against the Midshipmen. He looks like a nice play this week as a #3 WR in BCS only leagues.

Brent Leonard La-Monroe WR vs. Auburn: Leonard racked up 112 yards and a score on 11 receptions in the Warhawks upset of Arkansas last week. He faces another SEC foe this week in Auburn and will be looking to pull another upset. The Tigers defense is nothing special and could give up some big plays to Leonard and the La-Monroe passing attack. Leonard will have to be heavily involved for the Warhawks to stay in this contest. Look for at least seven receptions and maybe a score against Auburn this week.

Jamie Wilson Western Michigan WR vs. Minnesota: This freshman has started off the season strong with 19 receptions for 213 yards and three scores in the first two contests. Neither team plays much defense so this match up with Minnesota could turn into an old fashioned shoot-out. Look for Wilson to be heavily involved in the high octane Broncos offense. Another day with 100 plus yards and a score seem quite possible for this youngster this weekend.

Andre Davis South Florida WR vs. Rutgers: Davis went ballistic last week in a win over Nevada, collecting 191 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He may be even more heavily involved in the Bulls passing game now that Sterling Griffin is likely out for the season with a knee injury. He also plays in the Thursday night nationally televised game this week, which always seem to turn into fantasy fun. Don’t expect the huge numbers he posted from last week, but he could easily top the 100-yard mark and find the end zone again this week.

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